Mechanical strength of the rotator cuff and cable interface: a complete histological and biomechanical study.

Purpose: This study sought to evaluate the biomechanical properties of the interface between the rotator cuff and the semicircular humeral ligament or rotator cable (RCa) using histological and biomechanical techniques.

Methods: Out of 13 eligible cadaver specimens, 5 cadaver shoulders with an intact rotator cuff were included, 8 were excluded due to an injured rotator cuff. The histological study enables us to describe the capsule-tendon interface between the infraspinatus tendon (IST) or supraspinatus tendon (SST) and RCa, and to detect loose connective tissue layers to determine their precise location and measure their length along the interface.

Fast Evaluation and Comparison of the Energy Performances of Elastomers from Relative Energy Stored Identification under Mechanical Loadings.

The way in which elastomers use mechanical energy to deform provides information about their mechanical performance in situations that require substantial characterization in terms of test time and cost. This is especially true since it is usually necessary to explore many chemical compositions to obtain the most relevant one. This paper presents a simple and fast approach to characterizing the mechanical and energy behavior of elastomers, that is, how they use the mechanical energy brought to them.

Self-Propulsion of a Volatile Drop on the Surface of an Immiscible Liquid Bath.

We demonstrate the self-propulsion of a volatile drop on the surface of a bath of an immiscible liquid. Evaporative heat pumping is converted into directed motion through thermocapillary stresses, which arise from the coupling between surface-tension-driven flows and temperature advection. A propulsive force arises from convection-sustained temperature gradients along the drop interface, resulting in a warmer pool of liquid being advected by the hydrodynamic flow in the underlying bath toward the back of the drop.

Thermomechanical Behaviour and Interface of Overmoulded Soft Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Elastomers.

The influence of melt injection temperature on the thermomechanical behaviour of soft-soft overmoulded vulcanized thermoplastic elastomers (TPV) with different elastic properties was studied. Samples with two different overmoulding temperatures were tested under uniaxial loading conditions. The full deformation and temperature fields in each TPV were determined using digital image correlation technique and infrared thermography, respectively.

Convolutional neural network applied for nanoparticle classification using coherent scatterometry data.

The analysis of 2D scattering maps generated in scatterometry experiments for detection and classification of nanoparticles on surfaces is a cumbersome and slow process. Recently, deep learning techniques have been adopted to avoid manual feature extraction and classification in many research and application areas, including optics. In the present work, we collected experimental datasets of nanoparticles deposited on wafers for four different classes of polystyrene particles (with diameters of 40, 50, 60, and 80 nm) plus a background (no particles) class.

Comparison between x-ray diffraction and quantitative surface calorimetry based on infrared thermography to evaluate strain-induced crystallinity in natural rubber.

The crystallinity of stretched crystallizable rubbers is classically evaluated using x-ray diffraction (XRD). As crystallization is a strongly exothermal phenomenon, quantitative surface calorimetry from infrared thermography offers an interesting alternative to XRD for determining the crystallinity. In this paper, the two measurement techniques have been used for evaluating the strain-induced crystallinity of the same unfilled natural rubber.

[Autoimmune encephalitis mediated by antibodies against the N-Nethyl-N-Aspartate receptor: report of four cases in Peru].

Autoimmune encephalitis with antibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) is a disorder mediated by antibodies against neural surface antigens, whose early diagnosis and timely treatment improve the prognosis of the disease. Four cases with the definitive diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis by anti-NMDAR are presented, treated at the National Institute of Neurological Sciences in Lima-Peru. All patients had epileptic seizures and three cases developed a refractory epileptic state.

The Amazon rain forest plant Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) and its specific proanthocyanidin constituents are potent inhibitors and reducers of both brain plaques and tangles.

Brain aging and Alzheimer's disease both demonstrate the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein containing "plaques" and tau protein containing "tangles" that contribute to accelerated memory loss and cognitive decline. In the present investigation we identified a specific plant extract and its constituents as a potential alternative natural solution for preventing and reducing both brain "plaques and tangles". PTI-00703 cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa from a specific Peruvian source), a specific and natural plant extract from the Amazon rain forest, was identified as a potent inhibitor and reducer of both beta-amyloid fibrils (the main component of "plaques") and tau protein paired helical filaments/fibrils (the main component of "tangles").

Optimizing charge breeding techniques for ISOL facilities in Europe: Conclusions from the EMILIE project.

The present paper summarizes the results obtained from the past few years in the framework of the Enhanced Multi-Ionization of short-Lived Isotopes for Eurisol (EMILIE) project. The EMILIE project aims at improving the charge breeding techniques with both Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Sources (ECRIS) and Electron Beam Ion Sources (EBISs) for European Radioactive Ion Beam (RIB) facilities. Within EMILIE, an original technique for debunching the beam from EBIS charge breeders is being developed, for making an optimal use of the capabilities of CW post-accelerators of the future facilities.

An original architectured NiTi silicone rubber structure for biomedical applications.

This paper deals with composite structures for biomedical applications. For this purpose, an architectured tubular structure composed of Nickel Titanium (NiTi) Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) and silicone rubber was fabricated. One of the main interests of such structures is to ensure a good adhesion between its two constitutive materials.

Coding of apparent motion in the thalamic nucleus of the rat vibrissal somatosensory system.

While exploring objects, rats make multiple contacts using their whiskers, thereby generating complex patterns of sensory information. The cerebral structures that process this information in the somatosensory system show discrete patterns of anatomically distinct units, each corresponding to one whisker. Moreover, the feedforward and feedback connections are remarkably topographic, with little cross-whisker divergence before reaching the cortical network.

The Matrix: a new tool for probing the whisker-to-barrel system with natural stimuli.

The whisker to barrel system in rodents has become one of the major models for the study of sensory processing. Several tens of whiskers (or vibrissae) are distributed in a regular manner on both sides of the snout. Many tactile discrimination tasks using this system need multiple contacts with more than one whisker to be solved.

Differential activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathways by vasculotropic amyloid-beta variants in cells composing the cerebral vessel walls.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is an age-associated condition and a common finding in Alzheimer's disease in which amyloid-beta (Abeta) vascular deposits are featured in >80% of the cases. Familial Abeta variants bearing substitutions at positions 21-23 are primarily associated with CAA, although they manifest with strikingly different clinical phenotypes: cerebral hemorrhage or dementia. The recently reported Piedmont L34V Abeta mutant, located outside the hot spot 21-23, shows a similar hemorrhagic phenotype, albeit less aggressive than the widely studied Dutch E22Q variant.

Emergent properties of tactile scenes selectively activate barrel cortex neurons.

Rats discriminate objects by scanning their surface with the facial vibrissae, producing spatiotemporally complex sequences of tactile contacts. The way in which the somatosensory cortex responds to these complex multivibrissal stimuli has not been explored. It is unclear yet whether contextual information from across the entire whisker pad influences cortical responses.

Evidence for a direct subthalamo-cortical loop circuit in the rat.

The subthalamic nucleus (STN), a major component of the basal ganglia (BG), plays a crucial role in motor activity and cognitive functions. In current models of the BG, the STN is considered to act by activating the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons of the BG output nuclei, thus inhibiting their thalamic and brain stem targets. However, in addition to the BG output nuclei, the STN has also been reported to innervate the cerebral cortex and the striatum.

ApoER2 expression increases Abeta production while decreasing Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) endocytosis: Possible role in the partitioning of APP into lipid rafts and in the regulation of gamma-secretase activity.

Background: The generation of the amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) through the proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a central event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies highlight APP endocytosis and localization to lipid rafts as important events favoring amyloidogenic processing. However, the precise mechanisms underlying these events are poorly understood.

LRP in amyloid-beta production and metabolism.

Amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) production and accumulation in the brain is a central event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies have shown that apolipoprotein E (apoE) receptors, members of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family, modulate Abeta production as well as Abeta cellular uptake. Abeta is derived from proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), which interacts with several members of the LDLR family.

Apolipoprotein E and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein facilitate intraneuronal Abeta42 accumulation in amyloid model mice.

The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) is highly expressed in the brain and has been shown to alter the metabolism of amyloid precursor protein and amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) in vitro. Previously we developed mice that overexpress a functional LRP minireceptor (mLRP2) in their brains and crossed them to the PDAPP mouse model of Alzheimer disease. Overexpression of mLRP2 in 22-month-old PDAPP mice with amyloid plaques increased a pool of carbonate-soluble Abeta in the brain and worsened memory-related behavior.

Modulation of beta-amyloid precursor protein trafficking and processing by the low density lipoprotein receptor family.

Amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) accumulation in the brain is an early, toxic event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Abeta is produced by proteolytic processing of a transmembrane protein, beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP), by beta- and gamma-secretases. Mounting evidence has demonstrated that alterations in APP cellular trafficking and localization directly impact its processing to Abeta.

What does it take to ensure effective hand decontamination by nurses?

John Camm describes a range of initiatives targeted at increasing awareness about the causes of hospital-acquired infection and promoting greater staff compliance with effective hand hygiene. The campaigns involve encouraging patients to raise concerns with nurses and installing handwashing facilities next to each patient's bed

Rapid endocytosis of the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein modulates cell surface distribution and processing of the beta-amyloid precursor protein.

The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) is a approximately 600-kDa multifunctional endocytic receptor that is highly expressed in the brain. LRP and its ligands apolipoprotein E, alpha2-macroglobulin, and beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP), are genetically linked to Alzheimer disease and are found in characteristic plaque deposits in brains of patients with Alzheimer disease. To identify which extracellular domains of LRP interact with APP, we used minireceptors of each of the individual LRP ligand binding domains and assessed their ability to bind and degrade a soluble APP fragment.

The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1B retains beta-amyloid precursor protein at the cell surface and reduces amyloid-beta peptide production.

The low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-related protein 1B (LRP1B) is a newly identified member of the LDL receptor family that shares high homology with the LDL receptor-related protein (LRP). LRP1B was originally described as a putative tumor suppressor in lung cancer cells; however, its expression profile in several regions of adult human brain suggests it may have additional functions in the central nervous system. Since LRP1B has overlapping ligand binding properties with LRP, we investigated whether LRP1B, like LRP, could interact with the beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) and modulate its processing to amyloid-beta peptides (Abetas).

Increased soluble amyloid-beta peptide and memory deficits in amyloid model mice overexpressing the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein.

Amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) is central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, and the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) has been shown to alter Abeta metabolism in vitro. Here, we show that overexpression of a functional LRP minireceptor in the brain of PDAPP mice results in age-dependent increase of soluble brain Abeta, with no changes in Abeta plaque burden. Importantly, soluble brain Abeta was found to be primarily in the form of monomers/dimers and to be highly correlated with deficits in spatial learning and memory.

Assay of serum allantoin in humans by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Background: The small amount of allantoin present in human serum results from free radical (FR) action on urate and may provide a stable marker of free radical activity in vivo. We describe a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) assay for serum allantoin and report a reference range in healthy individuals.

Methods: Fasting blood samples were obtained from 134 healthy middle-aged volunteers (56 men, mean age 55, range 45-72; 78 women, mean age 55, range 50-72) Allantoin was assayed using 15N(2) allantoin as an internal standard.